Portable, self-contained fire and water decorative display

ABSTRACT

A portable, self-contained fire and water apparatus for decorative display. A fireplace for outdoor use in aquatic locations such as a pool, pond or lake. A device that produces a gas flame that burns on the waters surface. The device can be further be enhanced with optional ornamental or informational attachments such as a dragon igniting flaming waters or a sports team helmet floating in a pool surrounded by flames. A method of displaying a decorative or informational display employing a gas flame that burns on a waters surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a device that produces a gasflame that burns on a liquid surface which may include an ornamentaldecorative display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a portable, self-contained fire and water decorativedisplay with a means for floating on a surface of a liquid, a means forstoring a fuel, a means for dispersing fuel beneath the surface of theliquid and a means for igniting fuel rising beneath the surface of theliquid. The floating means supports the apparatus on the surface of theliquid. The storing means contains the fuel source and is connected tothe dispersing means, the igniting means and the floating means. Thedispersing means connects to the storing means via a submerged fuel lineand the igniting means connects to the storing means via a surface fuelline.

In one embodiment, a portable, self-contained fire and water decorativedisplay with at least one floatation base device to support the deviceon the surface of a liquid, at least one fuel tank connected to thefloatation base device, at least one dispersal head connected to thefuel tank via a dispersal head or submerged fuel line connected to thefuel tank, at least one pilot light connected to the fuel tank via apilot light or surface fuel line connected to the fuel tank. The fueltank, dispersal head and the pilot light are connected to the flotationbase device. The dispersal head fuel line extends from the fuel tank tothe dispersal head. The dispersal head is located beneath the surface ofthe liquid where the flow of fuel from the fuel tank to the dispersalhead may be controlled by at least one control valve located on the fueltank and by at least one control valve located on the dispersal headfuel line. The pilot light fuel line extends from the fuel tank to apilot light located above the surface of the liquid where the fuel risesfrom below the surface of the liquid. The flow of fuel from the fueltank through the pilot light fuel line to the pilot light may becontrolled by at least once control valve located on the fuel tank 1 orby at least one fuel control valve 4 located on the pilot light fuelline 3, 5.

In one embodiment, a portable, self-contained fire and water decorativedisplay, the device with at least one floatation base device to supportthe device on the surface of a liquid, at least one fuel tank connectedto the floatation base device, at least one dispersal head with a fuelcontrol valve that can be controlled manually or by remote controlconnected to the fuel tank via a submerged a dispersal head fuel lineconnected to the fuel tank, at least one pilot light with a fuel controlvalve that can be controlled manually, automatically or by remotecontrol connected to the fuel tank via a surface pilot light fuel lineconnected to the fuel tank. The fuel tank, dispersal head and pilotlight are connected to the flotation base device. The decorative displayis attached to the flotation base device. The dispersal head fuel lineextends from the fuel tank to the dispersal head. The dispersal head islocated beneath the surface of the liquid with the flow of fuel from thefuel tank to the dispersal head being controlled by at least oncecontrol valve located on the fuel tank and by at least once controlvalve located on the dispersal head fuel line. The pilot light fuel lineextends from the fuel tank to the pilot light located above the surfaceof the liquid where the fuel rises from below the surface of the liquid.The flow of fuel from the fuel tank through the pilot light fuel line tothe pilot light is controlled by at least once control valve located onthe fuel tank. An automatic igniting sensor may be located on or nearthe pilot light to ignite the pilot light.

In one embodiment, a method for displaying a portable, self-containedfire and water decorative display by placing a flame retardantfloatation base apparatus having an adjustably buoyant base that issufficiently buoyant to support the portable, self-contained fire andwater decorative display apparatus in a liquid. All of the components ofthe apparatus are connected to the floatation base through variousconnection means. Fuel is manually or remotely controlled to a dispersalhead and pilot light having an automatic ignition sensor toautomatically light the fuel being delivered to the pilot light or thepilot light may be manually lit. Once the pilot light is lit, fuelrising beneath the surface of the liquid from the dispersal head isignited by the pilot light as the apparatus floats on the surface of theliquid. The size of the flame can be increased or decreased by manuallyor remotely controlling the supply of fuel to the dispersal head. Thecolor of the flame can be altered by manually or remotely increasing ordecreasing the supply of oxygen to the dispersal head.

Other embodiments and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail based on the embodimentand application examples subsequently described and illustrated in thedrawings.

FIG. 1 shows the typical components of a portable, self-contained fireand water decorative display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Identical reference symbols in the individual figures and illustrationsof the drawings refer to equal or similar or equally or similarlyeffecting components. Based on the illustrations in the drawings alsosuch features which do not have reference symbols, become evidentindependent on the fact if such features are subsequently described ornot. On the other hand, also features which are included in the presentdescription, but not visible or illustrated in the drawings are easilyevident to the ordinary person skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 shows a general perspective view of one embodiment of the presentinvention. With reference to the FIG. 1, from which further details anddata can be taken, the following features, functions and advantages willbe explained in detail only by example based on a first embodimentexample. The present invention relates to a portable, self-containedfire and water decorative display for enhancing the visual and artisticappearance or look of a body of water such as a pool, pond, lake orfountain. In general, the device comprises at least one floatation basedevice 10 to support the device 20 on the surface of a liquid, at leastone fuel tank 1 connected to the floatation base device 10, at least onedispersal head 15 with a fuel control valve 7 that can be controlledmanually or by remote control connected to the fuel tank 1 via asubmerged dispersal head fuel lines 6, 8 connected to the fuel tank 1,at least one pilot light 16 with a fuel control valve 4 that can becontrolled manually, automatically or by remote control connected to thefuel tank 1 via surface pilot light fuel lines 3, 5 connected to thefuel tank 1. The fuel tank 1, dispersal head 15 and pilot light 16 areconnected to the flotation base device 10. A decorative display may beattached to the flotation base device 10. The dispersal head fuel lines6, 8 extend from the fuel tank 1 to the dispersal head 15. The dispersalhead 15 is located beneath the surface of a liquid with the flow of fuelfrom the fuel tank 1 to the dispersal head 15 being controlled by atleast one control valve 2 located on the fuel tank 1 and by at least onecontrol valve 7 located between the dispersal head 15 and the fuel tank1. The pilot light fuel lines 3, 5 extend from the fuel tank 1 to thepilot light 16 located above the surface of a liquid where the fuel 14rises from below the surface of the liquid. The flow of fuel from thefuel tank 1 through the pilot light fuel lines 3, 5 to the pilot light16 are controlled by at least once control valve 2 located on the fueltank 1 and/or by at least one control valve 4 located between the pilotlight 16 and the fuel tank 1. A gas industry standard automatic ignitingsensor (not shown) may be within the pilot light 16 device to ignite thepilot light 13.

The decorative display may be located directly on the floatation basedevice 10 or encompass the entire device 20 whereby the fire producedsurrounds the decorative display to achieve a desired aesthetic effect.The color of the fired produced may be changed by controlling the amountof oxygen and fuel to the dispersal head 15 to further enhance theaesthetic effect of the device 20. In addition, the decorative displaymay or may not be composed of a flame retardant material. The shape,size, arrangement and number of the display's decorative elements may bevaried to suit a particular application or to place the device within aspecific location.

By way of example, one embodiment of the present invention, the devicecomprises a flotation base device 10, a fuel storing means such as afuel tank 1, a means for dispersing the fuel 14 through a submerged fuelline 6, 8 to a dispersal head 15 located beneath the surface of a bodyof water such as a pond, lake, fountain or pool and a pilot light 16 forigniting the fuel 14 rising beneath the surface of the body of waterfrom the dispersal head 15. FIG. 1 depicts one dispersal head 15 and onepilot light 16; however, a plurality of dispersal heads 15 and aplurality of pilot lights 16 may be employed depending on the size,shape, arrangement, decorative display and application of the device 20.

The flotation means comprises a flotation base device 10 that supportsthe entire device 20 on the body of water. The flotation base may becomposed of an additive substance which renders a polymer fire-resistantor a metallic structure to limit the flammability of the flotation base10 and decorative display. The fuel source or tank 1 is connected to theflotation base 10 and is support by the flotation base 10 via standardattachment devices 9 such as a clip, screw, nut and bolt, tie-on, etc.The fuel tank 1 is connected to the dispersing head 15 means viastandard fuel line attachments as depicted in FIG. 1 as dispersal headfuel lines 6 and 8. Typically, the dispersal head fuel lines 6, 8 fromthe fuel tank 1 to the dispersing head 15 will be submerged beneath theliquid. In addition, the fuel tank 1 is connected to the pilot light 16,which is located above the body of water, via standard fuel lineattachments as depicted in FIG. 1 as pilot light surface fuel lines 3,5. Generally, the fuel tank 1 is connected to the pilot light 16 by thesurface fuel lines 3, 5.

The floatation base 10 has connection points for an anchoring device andthe fuel source 1. The decorative display can be attached to theflotation base 10, be an integral part of the flotation base 10 or bethe actual flotation base 10 itself. The connection points for theanchoring device to the flotation base 10 are by standard connectionmeans for attaching an anchor via a chain, rope, cord, etc. to amaterial composed of flame retardant material, fiberglass, plastic,metal, wood or other buoyant material. The fuel source or tank 1connects to the flotation base 10 by standard connection means forsecuring a fuel source to a material composed of flame retardantmaterial, fiberglass, plastic, metal, wood or other buoyant material.

The storing means, fuel source or fuel tank 1 is a standard gas tank orstoring means used to house a gas such as propane or other similarflammable gases. The fuel tank 1 size will depend on duration of use andthe device's 20 application. The fuel tank 1 will have a fuel controlvalve 2 that can be manually operated or be remotely controlled via aremote control. Typically, the opening of the fuel control valve 2allows the flow of fuel to both the pilot light or lights 16 and to thedispersing head or heads 15 simultaneously. However, a fuel tank may beemployed that has two fuel control valves 2, one for the dispersing fuelline 6 and one for the pilot light fuel line 3. Furthermore, if multipledispersal heads 15 are used, the fuel tank 1 may have a plurality ofcontrol valves 2 for each additional dispersal head 15. The fuel tank 1may be connected directly to the flotation base 10 or be placed at adistance from the flotation base 10 for application or aestheticpurposes via standard attachment means. Additionally, the fuel tank 1and the flotation base 10 may be one in the same, that is, the flotationbase 10 could be designed to serve as the fuel tank 1. Multiple fueltanks 1 may be used and attached as described herein.

The dispersing means comprises at least one dispersal head 15 submergedjust beneath the surface of the liquid. The dispersal head 15 isconnected to the fuel tank 1 via submerged fuel lines 6, 8 locatedbeneath the liquid. In embodiments without a fuel control valve 7, adispersal head 15 will be connected via one continuous submerged fuelline. The fuel 14 is released beneath the surface of the liquid from thedispersal head 15. The release rate of the fuel 14 can be manuallyactuated by opening the fuel control valve 7 located on the dispersalhead fuel line 6, 8 or by the fuel control valve 2 on the fuel tank 1.The fuel control valve 7 may be a manually operated valve or a remotelycontrolled valve depending on the application and use of the device 20.

The igniting means comprises at least one pilot light 16 and the surfacefuel lines 3, 5. The pilot light 16 connects to the storing means orfuel tank 1 via the surface fuel lines 6, 8 located above and below theliquid. In embodiments without a fuel control valve 4, a pilot light 16will be connected via one continuous surface fuel line extending fromthe pilot light 16 to the fuel tank 1. Fuel flowing to a pilot light maybe controlled through several means including the fuel control valve 2on the fuel tank 1, the fuel control valve 4 and/or the pilot lightcontrol valve 12 located on the pilot light. In a general example, apilot light 16 is positioned just above the surface of the liquidwherein a dispersal head 15 lies just beneath the surface of the liquid.The fuel 14 rising into the atmosphere from a dispersal head 15 isignited by the pilot light 16 pilot flame 13. The rate of the fuel canbe manually actuated by opening the fuel control valve 4 located on thesurface fuel lines 6, 8 or by the fuel control valve 2 on the fuel tank1 or by the pilot light control valve 12. The fuel control valve 4 maybe a manually operated valve or a remotely controlled valve depending onthe application and use of the device 20.

The fuel line from the fuel tank to the dispersing head 15 can besegmented into two parts 6, 8 if the device has a volume control valve 7to control the volume of fuel to the dispersing head 15, as depicted inFIG. 1. However, if multiple dispersal heads 15 are used, a plurality offuel lines 6, 8 with or without control valves 2 may be utilized. Thevolume control valve 7 may be manually actuated or remotely controlledvia a standard gas industry manual fuel-metering valve or by a standardgas industry remote control metering valve. By way of example only, thefollowing valves may be utilized angle valves, balancing valves,butterfly valves and needle valves made of metallic elements such asaluminum and copper as well as metallic alloys such as brass, bronze,steel, cast iron, ductile iron, and stainless steel or valves made of avariety of plastics. Fuel lines 6, 8 from the fuel tank 1 to thedispersing head 15 may be only one fuel line without a volume controlvalve 7. Alternately or in conjunction, the fuel line from the fuel tank1 to the dispersing head 15 can have an additional oxygen control valve(not shown) to control the amount of oxygen to the dispersing head 15 tochange to the color of the flame produced. The material used for fuellines 6, 8 may be of any standard fuel line materials composed ofrubber, metallic elements and metallic alloys. Fuel lines 5, 6 will besubmerged in the body of water since the dispersal head 15 is locatedbeneath the body of water, however, segments of the fuel lines 6, 8 maybe located above the surface of the liquid.

The fuel line from the fuel tank to the pilot light 16 can be segmentedinto two parts 3, 5 if the device has a volume control valve 4 tocontrol the volume of fuel to the dispersing head 15, as depicted inFIG. 1. However, if multiple pilot lights 16 are used, a plurality offuel lines 3, 5 with or without control valves 4 may be employed. Thevolume control valve 4 may be manually actuated or remotely controlledvia a standard gas industry manual fuel-metering valve or by a standardgas industry remote control metering valve, as previously describedherein. Fuel lines 3, 5 from the fuel tank 1 to the dispersing head 15may be only one fuel line without a volume control valve 4. Thematerials used for fuel lines 6, 8 can be of any standard fuel linematerial such as rubber, metallic elements and metallic alloys.

An anchor (not shown) may be attached the device 20. An anchor may beattached to the flotation base 10 or the fuel source 1. The anchor maybe attached to the device 20 via standard marine anchoring means.Additionally, the device 20 may have a remotely controlled movementmeans (not shown) as is typically found in marine propelled devices.

In addition, a method for displaying a portable, self-contained fire andwater decorative display is accomplished by attaching a decorativedisplay to the flotation base device 10 or the flotation base device 10is the decorative display. The flame retardant flotation base device 10,which shall be sufficiently buoyant to support the portable,self-contained fire and water decorative display apparatus 20 is placedin a body of water such as a lake, pond, pool or fountain. Fuel is thensupplied by manually actuating or remotely controlling fuel to adispersal head 15 and manually actuating or remotely controlling fuel toa pilot light 16. The device 20 may have a plurality of dispersal heads15 and pilot lights 16; each of which shall be individually orcollectively operated as described above. The pilot light(s) 16 willthen be manually lit or automatically lit by an automatic ignitionsensor (not shown) as commonly found in pilot light 16 assemblies. Fuel14 rising beneath the body of water will be ignited by the pilot lightflame 13 producing what looks like fire dancing or floating on thesurface of a body of water. The size of the flame can be increased ordecreased by manually or remotely controlling the supply of fuel to thedispersal head (s) 15. In addition, the color of the flame can bealtered by manually or remotely increasing or decreasing the supply ofoxygen to the dispersal head. The decorative display may appear to be,but not limited to, a launching rocket or a sinking ship or the fire canbe used to light up an advertisement or decorative display. Thedecorative display can be virtually any size, shape, arrangement orstructure.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that otherembodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of theinvention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the inventionshould be limited only by the attached claims.

1. A portable, self-contained fire and water decorative display, thedevice comprising: (a) means for floating on a surface of a liquid; (b)means for storing a fuel; (c) means for dispersing the fuel beneath thesurface of the liquid; and (d) means for igniting the fuel risingbeneath the surface of the liquid, wherein the floating means supportsthe apparatus on the surface of the liquid, wherein the storing meanscontains the fuel source and is connected to the dispersing means, theigniting means and the floating means, wherein the dispersing meansconnects to the storing means via a submerged fuel line, wherein theigniting means connects to the storing means via a surface fuel line. 2.The portable, self-contained fire and water decorative display, thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the floating means comprises afloatation base, at least one connection point for a decorative display,at least one connection point for an anchoring device and the fuelsource.
 3. The portable, self-contained fire and water decorativedisplay, the device according to claim 1, wherein the storing meanscomprises a fuel tank, a fuel control valve which can comprise a manualcontrol valve or a remote control valve, wherein either control valvecontrols the flow of fuel to the pilot light and a dispersal head, thesubmerged fuel line is attached to a volume control valve to control thevolume of fuel or oxygen to the dispersal head and the surface fuel linewhich connects to a pilot light.
 4. The portable, self-contained fireand water decorative display, the device according to claim 1, whereinthe dispersing means comprises at least one dispersal head submergedbeneath the liquid connected to the storing means via the submerged fuelline, wherein the dispersal head releases the fuel beneath the surfaceof the liquid, the dispersal head can be manually or remotelycontrolled.
 5. The portable, self-contained fire and water decorativedisplay, the device according to claim 1, wherein the igniting meanscomprises the pilot light and the surface fuel line connected to thestoring means, wherein the pilot light ignites the fuel rising beneaththe surface of the liquid, the pilot light can be manually or remotelycontrolled.
 6. The portable, self-contained fire and water decorativedisplay, the device according to claim 1, wherein an anchor is attachedto the flotation base device.
 7. A portable, self-contained fire andwater decorative display, the device comprising: (a) at least onefloatation base device to support the device on the surface of a liquid;(b) at least one fuel tank connected to the floatation base device; (c)at least one dispersal head connected to the fuel tank via a dispersalhead fuel line connected to the fuel tank; (d) at least one pilot lightconnected to the fuel tank via a pilot light fuel line connected to thefuel tank; wherein the components in (b), (c), and (d) are connected tothe flotation base device, wherein the dispersal head fuel line extendsfrom the fuel tank to the dispersal head, the dispersal head is locatedbeneath the surface of the liquid, the flow of fuel from the fuel tankto the dispersal head is controlled by at least once control valvelocated on the fuel tank and by at least once control valve located onthe dispersal head fuel line, wherein the pilot light fuel line extendsfrom the fuel tank to the pilot light located above the surface of theliquid where the fuel rises from below the surface of the liquid, theflow of fuel from the fuel tank through the pilot light fuel line to thepilot light is controlled by at least once control valve located on thefuel tank.
 8. The portable, self-contained fire and water decorativedisplay, the device according to claim 7, wherein a fuel control valveis located on the fuel tank and near the dispersal head or one fuelcontrol valve can be located near the dispersal head, and one fuelcontrol valve can be located on the fuel tank, wherein the fuel controlvalve or fuel control valves can be controlled manually or by remotecontrol.
 9. The portable, self-contained fire and water decorativedisplay, the device according to claim 7, wherein the fuel control valvelocated on the fuel tank controls the flow of fuel to the pilot light.10. The portable, self-contained fire and water decorative display, thedevice according to claim 7, wherein an automatic pilot light sensor andigniter are located within the pilot light to automatically ignite thepilot in the present of fuel is being supplied to the pilot light. 11.The portable, self-contained fire and water decorative display, thedevice according to claim 7, wherein a decorative display can beattached to the flotation base device.
 12. A portable, self-containedfire and water decorative display, the device comprising: (a) at leastone floatation base device to support the device on the surface of aliquid; (b) at least one fuel tank connected to the floatation basedevice; (c) at least one dispersal head with a fuel control valve thatcan be controlled manually or by remote control connected to the fueltank via a submerged a dispersal head fuel line connected to the fueltank; (d) at least one pilot light with a fuel control valve that can becontrolled manually, automatically or by remote control connected to thefuel tank via a surface pilot light fuel line connected to the fueltank; wherein the components in (b), (c), (d) and (e) are connected tothe flotation base device, (e) wherein a decorative display is attachedto the flotation base device, wherein the dispersal head fuel lineextends from the fuel tank to the dispersal head, the dispersal head islocated beneath the surface of the liquid, the flow of fuel from thefuel tank to the dispersal head is controlled by at least once controlvalve located on the fuel tank and by at least once control valvelocated on the dispersal head fuel line, wherein the pilot light fuelline extends from the fuel tank to the pilot light located above thesurface of the liquid where the fuel rises from below the surface of theliquid, the flow of fuel from the fuel tank through the pilot light fuelline to the pilot light is controlled by at least once control valvelocated on the fuel tank, wherein an automatic igniting sensor islocated near the pilot light to ignite the pilot light.
 13. Theportable, self-contained fire and water decorative display, the deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the decorative display can encompass theentire device or be attached to the flotation base device, wherein thedecorative display and flotation base device are comprises flameretardant material.
 14. A method for displaying a portable,self-contained fire and water decorative display, comprising: (a)placing a flame retardant floatation base device having an buoyant basethat is sufficiently buoyant to support the portable, self-containedfire and water decorative display apparatus in a body of water such as apond, lake, pool or fountain; (b) manually or remotely controlled fuelfrom a fuel tank is supplied to the pilot light which is ignitedmanually or by an automatic ignition sensor; (c) manually or remotelycontrolled fuel is supplied to the dispersal head; (d) fuel risingbeneath the surface of the liquid is ignited by the pilot light as thedevice floats on the surface of the liquid; and (e) the size of theflame can be increased or decreased by manually or remotely controllingthe supply of fuel to the dispersal head;
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the device can have a decorative display attached, wherein thedecorative display can be made of a flame retardant substance or ametallic element.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the color of theflame can be altered by manually or remotely increasing or decreasingthe supply of oxygen to the dispersal head.